Straight line capping machine



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' Dec., 5, 1944.

H. E. GNTzl-:R

STRAIGHT LINE CAPPING MACHINE Filed March l5, 1941 '7 Shee'hS-Sheet 2ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1944. H. E. GANTZER 2,364,523

lSTRAIGHT LINE CAPPING MAGHINEI Filed March 15, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 50.00OOOOOGOOOOOOOOOGGOOOOOOOO Sm.. o o

De 5; 1944 H. E. GANTzl-:R

u STRAIGHT LINE CAPPING' MACHINE Filed March 15,` 1941 '7 Sheets-'Sheet4 www A V INVENTOR warcf G'azfe I A A ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1944. H. E.'GANTZER STRAIGHT LINE CAPPING MACHINE 7 sheets-sheet' Filed March 15,1941 jlwm im @QM uNvENToR Gavrfer ATTORNEY 5, 1944. H. E. GANTZER nSTRAIGHT LINE CAPPING MACHINE Filed March' is, 1941 7 sheets-sheet 6ATTORN -EY Dec. 5, 1944.

H:` E. GAggjrzER STRAIGHT LINE CAPPT'NG` MACHINE Filed Marqh 15, L194; 7sheets-heet 'r mono/ooo ooooeo oo @Gnu .wk o* .mwN NNN .Patented Dee. s,1944 UNITED t STATE s PATENT STRAIGHT LINE esprime mounts ApplicationMarch 15, 194i, Serial No. 383,522

24 claims. (ci. 22a-sm This invention relatesto new and usefulirnprovements in capping machinery and partic'ul larly seeks to providea novel straightline capping machine provided with a conveyer adaptedtomove a plurality of objects in a straightline lpath of travel-and aplurality of capping chucks movable in an orbital path includinga majorportion on one side coextensive with the path of travel of the conveyer.

In certain prior known`formsof capping machinery, the object handlingconveyers have been adapted to feed a lineoi successively presentedobjects or containers to a. rotary turret which moves the containersthrough an arcuate path of travel to a capping station where a cappingchuck was adapted to apply a cap to the container and in which furthervmovement .ofthe turret effected a discharge of the capped'container ontosome form of discharge conveyer which may or may not have been disposedalong vcyer. Certain lother forms of capping machinery provided anintermittently operable conveyer i which was adapted to move a pluralityof cons tainers through a straightline path of travel .to

all productive speed 'of capping was seriously limited to an undesirablylow level due to the '20 the same general lpath of travel as theinitialconvery nature of the .capping mechanisms which were employed to.eilect the capping of the containers;Y This invention overcomesdiillculties heretofore encountered in the'above mentioned. types ofcapping machines and provides Aa novel capping machine through the useof which a capping machine and an -over-all increase of substantialextent in the productive capacity of a capping machine can be effected.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a cappingmachine of the straightline type which includes a conveyor adapted tomove a plurality lof spaced containers at a uniformL rate of speed andAa plurality of capping chucks adapted to be moved in perfectsynchronization with the conveyer-borne containers whereby caps may beapplied to the containers as they are being moved by the conveyer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter stated in which the capping chucks are moved through anorbital path, the major portion ofone side of which is coincident withthe path of travel of the conveyer whereby the capping chucks may beengaged with aplurality of containers at any given time during which thecontainers and chucks are moving in coincident synchronization.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharatcer stated in which rof tation of the capping chucks is effectedonly during thatportion of the orbital :path of travel thereof which iscoincident with the path of travel of the conveyer.

Another object of this invention isto provide a machine of the characterstated in which the entire capping chuck assembly may be movedvertically to provide for vertical 4adjustment when containers havingdifferent heights -are to be capped.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter stated in which. the containerengaging elements of theconveyers are adjustable in a generally peripheral direction to therebyprovide adjustment of the conveyers lineof spaced containers may becontinuously] moved along a conveyer and during a portion of the :38th0i travel of said containersfalong theY conveyer they will'be broughtinto registry with ,slowed down through any portion of the path oftravel. along the conveyer mechanism of the associated cappingmechanisms which are moved. l through an orbital path in perfectsynchrniza-- t capping chucks.

lfurther object of this invention is to provide to permit capping ofcontainers having different longitudinal dimensions.

-Another object of this invention is to provide va machine of thecharacter stated which includes a primaryconveyer adapted to feed a-iine`of successively presented containers at' a relatively rapidfrate ofspeed and a timing device adapted to engage each leading container ofthe line of containers and .eiect the spacing of such leading containerfrom the remainder of the line to thereby properly space the containersupon the conveyer for subsequent registry with the a machinefof thecharacter stated which is simpie in design. rugged in construction andeccnomicel to manuiacture.

'mounted beneath the top 9.

2 I i F With these and othery objects in view, the nature of which willbecome more apparent, the

Iinvention. will be more iully` understood by reference to the drawings,the accompanying detailed description, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a capping machine constructed inaccordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof:

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l;

. Fig. 4 is a. horizontal section taken online 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a left-end elevation. partly in section, of the entire upperportion of the machine;

Fig. 6 is a. horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.;

Fig. 7 is a 'horizontal sectiontaken on line 1-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary :front elevation, partly Lin section, andillustrating the timing and spacf removal of a cap from the supplychute; and

Fig. A13 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of thecontainer engaging conveyer..

Referring to the drawings in detail, the invention, as illustrated, isembodied in a. capping machine which includes a supporting frame A, acontinuously moving conveyer B adapted to receive a line of containersfrom a illling machine or the like and move the containers in spacedrelation through engagement-with the capping devices, a timing andspacing mechanism C which regulates the spacing of the containers forengagement by a secondary conveyer D associated with the capping devicesand adapted to maintain the spaced relation of the containers duringcapping operations, and a capping assembly generally indicated at E. Thesupporting frame A includes a table top 9 rigidly supported by legs 9and carries the conveyer B. 'The conveyer B includes the usual chainsupporting channels -1 provided at each end with a sprocket gear 9 whichis operatively engaged by an endless sprocket chain 9. It should benoted that both ends of the conveyer B overhang the ends of the tabletop I .a considerable distance in order to [facilitate coordination a'ndalignment of the conveyer and its associated capping mechanism with theconveyers of other machines with which the capping machine may beassociated. The top 5 is provided with dependably mounted brackets I9which rotatably support a shaft I2. A `V-pulley I3 is affixed to therear end of the shaft I2.and is adapted to be-driven through the medi-umof a belt I4 and V-pulley Il secured to one end` of the shaft of a motorI6 dependably The front end 0i' the shaft I2 is provided with asmallpinion gear i1 disposed in meshing relation with a spur gear I9rotatably carried by a bracket II dependably mounted on the top 9adjacent the front thereof. The spil-l' gear I9 is provided with arearwardly assesses extending bushing I9 to which a sprocket gear 2l visrigidly amxed. A flanged guide pulley 2|,

which is disposed in the same generally vertical plane as the sprocket29, is rotatably mounted on one end of an angularly adjustable arm 22,the other end of which is releasably secured to the bracket II as by aibolt 29. The sprocket chain 9 is carried over the sprocket 29 and underthe adjustably mounted guide pulley 2I the position of which may bevaried to regulate the slack in the conveyer chain. It will thus bereadily apparent that motion will be imparted to the conveyer chain 9through the sprocket 29 and its associated driving connections.

The overhanging portions of the conveyer channels 1 are provided withbrackets 24 rigidly secured thereto and including spaced upstanding arms25. The arms 29 ofthe brackets are adapted to carry guide rails 29through the medium of -inwardly extending stud bolts 21 and wing nuts29. The guide rails 29 are disposed equidistantly from the center lineof the conveyer B and may be adjusted to a greater or less distance fromthe conveyer center line through the medium of the mounting studs 21 andthe wing nuts 28 to thereby provide the adjustment which may benecessary when containers of different size are being moved by theconveyer. The central portion of the conveyer channels 1 are providedwith mounting brackets including upstanding arms 29 disposed on the:forward side thereof. The arms 29 are adapted to yieldably support aguide rail 39 disposed in substantial-alignment with the guide rails 26through the medium of mounting studs 9| and compression springs 92interposed between the guide rails and the respective mounting arms 29.The forward ends of the mounting studs are provided withpositionadjusting nuts 33 threadably engaged therewith. Thus, it isobvious that the guide rail 39 is constantiy urged in a rearwarddirection towards the axis of the conveyer B and will have its rearsurface frictionally engaged by objects being fed through Vthe machineby the conveyer. Any irregularities in thickness of objects being movedby the conveyer will be compensated for by the resilient mounting oi'the guide rail 29 and misalignment of the containers relative to theaxis v of the conveyer will be prevented.'

As containers F are first received. by the conveyer B they are broughtinto engagement with a timing and spacing mechanism generally indicatedat C. This timing mechanism per se forms no part ai' the presentinvention but is described in detail in applicants copendingapplication. Serial No. 285,417, filed July 19, 1939. Generallyspeaking, the timingimechanism includes'a cylinder 34 bearing a helicalribbon 9i adapted to be interposed between two adjacent containers andcause the proper spacing thereof along the conveyer B. l'I'iie cylinder94 is adapted to be rotated through the medium of an upper set of lveyer B, after having been properly spaced by the timing and. spacingmechanism C,- they are brought .into engaging relation with pusherelements 29 carried by the secondary conveyer D.

lThe secondary conveyer Dincludes a sprocket chain 49 to which' theApusher elements 39 are a!- iixed. The conveyer chain 4l is mounted andestacas p 44 i's. engaged with the lower end of a stb shaft 45 rotatablycarried thereby. The upper end of the shaft 45 is journalled in the endof a spacer arm 46 rigidly secured to a spacer bar 41. A spur gear 48 isrigidly secured to the shaft 4 5 adjacent the arm 44 and a sprocket gear49,' engageable with the chain 40, is releasably secured to the shaft 45adjacent the spacer arm 46. The spur gear 48 meshes with a similarlspurgear 50 rigidly affixed to the shaft 43 Vto thereby transmit powerfrom the main drive shaft Ait to the sprocket gear 49. The other end ofthe spacer bar 4'1 is provided with a longitudinally adjustable spacerarm I secured to the bar 41 by a bolt 52 and is adjustable through themedium of aset screw/assembly 53. The outer end of the spacer arm 5i isrotatably engaged with the upper end of a stub shaft 54, the lower end'of which is rotatably carried by the free end of an i arm 55 similar tothe arm 44 and pivotally se. cured to the table top 5 as at 56. Asprocket gear 51 is releasably secured to the shaft 54 intermediate tothespacer arm 5| and the arm 55 and engages the sprocket chain 40. Itwill bevapparent that the sprocket gears 49 ,and 51 are maintained inspaced relation by the spacer bar 41 and its associated spacer arms.

The secondary conveyer chain 4U and its associated sprocket gears anddriving mechanism may be bodily moved towards and away from the mainconveyer B to provide greater or lessspacing of the pusher elements 39from the main conveyer axis in accordance with the lateral dimensions ofvarious sized containers being capped. To this, end,I the arm 44 isprovided with an-offset gear sector 58 rigidly secured thereto (see Fig.6) and engageable with a worm 59 carried by a lshaft 60.- The shaft 60is journalled in the conveyer channels 1 and then provided at itsforward end with a4 hand wheel 5I. The rotation of the shaft 60 `willeffect the rotative movement-of the gear sector l5 and the arm 44, whichthereby varies the axis positionof the stub shaft 45. Since the stubshaft 45 and the stub shaft v54 are malntained in spaced relation by thespacer bar v41 and its` .associated spacer arms, shifting of the axisAof vthe shaft 45 will effect a corresponding of'4 theaxisof the stubshaft 54 while at the same time continuing to maintain the parallelrelationshipbetween the' longitudinal axes will then be successivelylowered vertically Awhile still moving horizontally to become therebyplaced into capping engagement with a container which is supported bythe conveyer B and maintained in proper registry with the pusherelements of the secondary conveyer D. Each successively lowered chuck isthen raised and disengaged from the associated container to therebypermit the capped container to be discharged by the conveyer B and topermit travel of the chuck around the remaining portion of its'orbitalpath preparatory to its engagement with a later preu sented container.

The devices by which the actual capping operations are effected, asdescribed, include a pair l0) is carried by the standards 52 and ismounted thereon through the medium of vertically iidjustable clampsleeves 64. The forward edge of the platform 63 is provided with anupstanding plate 65 rigidly secured thereto and adapted to support thechuck. A relatively long and narrow rectangular plate 66 is horizontallypositioned atop the plate 65 and is rigidly secured thereto .with itsmedian axis' 1ying within the median plane of the vertical plate 65.Upstanding ange plates 61 having lengths shorter than the length of theplate 66 are rigidly secured to the longitudinal edges of the plate 66and serve to maintain the capping chucks in proper vertical alignmentduring passage thereof along the straight portions of the orbital pathof travel, as will be hereinafter more fully described. Spaced standards68 are secured tothe plate 65 and rigidly support any suitable form oforbital contour cam. In the particular embodiment illustrated, theorbital cam comprises a bottom plate 69 provided at its ends withopposed upstanding sleeves 1i] secured thereto and defining end wallportions.

The rear portions of the sleeves 10- are joined by l a cam plate 1|having` a substantially straight upper edge over the major portion ofits length and the front portions of the sleeves 10 are joined by a camplate 12 having its upper edge portions prop.. erly contoured to providethe desired vertical movement to the capping chucks for engagementWith'and disengagement from the containers.

One end of the horizontal plate 66 is provided with a downwardlyextending boss.13 having a bushing 14 mounted therein. A verticallydisposed shaft 15 is journalled in the bushing 14 and has its lower endprojecting therebelow. A pair of upper and lower sprocket gears 16 and11 respectively are releasably secured to the shaft 15 and arerespectively disposed-'above and below the boss 13 to thereby preventdisengagement of the ofthejmain and secondary conveyers.- It should benoted ythat the speed of the secondary con- .veyer D may be equal tpbutshould never be greater the speed of the main conveyer B in order. thatthepusherI elements I9 may be constantly positioned' against thecontainersassociated .therewith during capping operations to therebyassure: proper registry of. the containers withthecappinc. chucks. 1

The capping assembly E consists of a plurali of capping chucks-movablethrough e. generally horilontal orbital path including a straightIinefportion which overlles and coincldeslwith the axis-ofthe mainconveyor IB.. As the capping chucks-move into the straight line portionvof the v 'orbital path of travel they will -be brulht ilitillv thebearing 19 and is provided at its ends with a 4pair of upper and lowersprocket gears 6i andl respectively 4which correspond in sizeand'spaoing to the previously mentioned sprocket gears 16 and 11 andasprocket chain 93 is carried by the upper sprocket gears 15 and 8i anda similar sprocket. chain 84; is; carried by the lower sprocket gears 11and l2. A plurality '0f vertically disposed ,generally `i's-shapedspindle carrying blocks I5. I

are" equidistantly spaced around and secured to ennuient witnthe axis ofthe conveys: B' and u the sprocktcnains anna u and extend there- J s V Ypl'oyed, it is desirable that they be spaced equidistantly around theperiphery of the chains 88 and 84 in order that the functions of themachine as a whole may be properly timed and coordinated.

Each. mounting block 88 is provided with a rear plane surface 88 adaptedto slidably con-v tact the outer surfaces of the anges 81, and adownwardly extending shoulder 81 spaced rearwardly from the face 88 todenne a channel or groove 88 adapted to engage the upper edges of theflanges 81. Thus, each mounting block is carried b y the sprocket chains83 and 84,and as any one block approaches a straight portion of itsorbital path of traveIthe-shoulder 81 engages the upper edge portion ofa flange 81 and the face 88 slidably rests against the opposed face ofthe flange to thereby prevent the block from becoming displaced outofproper vertical alignment. Each mounting block 88 is provided with anoutwardly extending lug 89 located adjacent the top thereof -and whichcarries an upstanding stud 88. A spindle mounting bar 8| has one endslidably carried by the stud 88. The other end of the bar 8| is providedwith a roller cam follower 82 engageable with the upper edge or contourportion of the orbital cam. A vertically disposed hollow spindle 98 isslidably and rotatably mounted in each block 88 and has its upper endextending through a suitable bushing in the associated mounting bar 8|.The upper l end of the spindle is provided with a removable shoulderelement 84 which prevents the spindle from becoming disengaged from themounting bar 8| and the block 88. 'I'he lower end. of the spindle maybeprovided with any suitable type of capping chuck 88 but a chuck similarto that disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,076,631, granted onApril 13, 1937, to this inventor, may be employed advantageously. Eachspindle 88 is provided with an interiorly ldisposed knock-out rod 88constantly urged upwardly a's by a spring 81. The upper end of the rod88 normally projects slightly above theend of the spindle and isLengageable with an abutment plate 88 carried by 'the downwardlyextendingl hub 88 of a spur gear |88 amxed to the shaft 18.

The sprocket chains 88 and.84, together with the associated mountingblocks andf spindles, are

adapted to be driven through mechanisms which include a verticallyldisposed shaft |8| having its lower end journalled in the table top 8 ata position relatively near the shaft 43. A spur gear |82 is secured tothe shaft |8| adjacent the lower end thereof and meshes with the gear 88carried by the shaft 43. A gear train, generally indicated' locatedabove the plane of the top of the gear |88 in orderthat the gear |88 mayeffectively support ascuas the associated end of\ the bar. The other endof the bar |88 is similarly supported by the gear |84. An idler gear |88is dependably and rotatably mounted by a pivot shaft |81 on the bar |88intermediate its ends and operatively connects the spur gears |88 and|84.

As the capping chucks are moved along'the orbital path of travel throughthe medium of the above described driving connections, successive chucksapproach the straight portion of travel, the path of which overlies theaxis of the main conveyer B. The individual cam followers 82 ride downthe inclined portion of the cam plate 12 to effect the lowering of itsassociated spindle and chuck into capping engagement with a containerl Fmaintained in registry therewith by the secondary conveyer D. Rotativemovement is imparted to eachchuck 88 as it approaches engagement withthe container F by engagement of a pinion |88 rigidly mounted on thespindle 8l with a horizontally disposed rack |88 rigidly secured to theforward face of the cam plate 12. At the time the pinion |88 has becomefully meshed with the 'rack |88, the cam follower 82 and its associatedtravel is reached, the cam follower 82 engages the upwardly inclinedportion of the cam plate 12 to raise the chuck out of engagementwith'the container and to disengage the pinion |88 of its associatedspindle from the rack whereby positive rotative movement of the spindlewill stop. It should be notedthat the upper corners of those teeth ofthe rack |88 which are first engaged by the pinion |88 may be bevelledin order to facilitate a smooth engagement between the rack and thepinion.

Each chuck 88, on the back portion of its orbital path of travel, isadapted to pick up a container cap ||8 from cap supplying devicessimilar to those disclosed in the lnventor's copending application,Serial No. 285,418, filed July 19, 1838 (see Figs. 5, 6, l1 and 12), andwhich include a picker disk m rigida# secured 'to a vertieauy disposedshaft ||2 journalled in the table top 8. The shaft ||2 is adapted to bedriven from the shaft 48 through the medium of a spur gear ||8 whichmeshes with the gear |82 carried by the shaft-|8| (see Fig. 6). Thepicker disk is provided with a plurality of equally spaced pickerelements i4 pivotally mounted in circumferentially disposed slotslocated near the periphery of 'the disk. A table ||8 is stationarilymounted l beneath the disk and is adapted to slidably support the endsof the pickers ||4 during rotation of the disk The table |8 is providedwith an upwardly projecting cam'port'ion ||8 over which the ends of thepickers are adapted to ride and which effects an upward projection ofthe picker ends above the top plane of the disk preparatory toengagement with a, container cap. A cap supply chute ||1 is associatedwith the disk and has its lower end disposed approximately over theleading edge of the table4 cam H8. The caps ||8 are retained in thechute by a spring biased detent ||8, the lowerf'end of which kisdisplaceable to permit a cap to be withdrawn by .a picker element as isclearly shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings. By referring to Fig. 3 ofthe'drawings, it will be seen that 'the path of travel of the pickerelements ||4 merges with Continued movement 'of the chuck the path oftravel of the chucks V95 for a short distance. During the interval oftime -in which the chucks and the pickers are thus moving together, thechuck is lowered into engagement with a cap I I carried by the disk I Ilandis then raised to remove the cap from the disk prior to the time atwhich the respective paths of travel of the chuck and the pickerelements again diverge. The raising and lowering of the chuck duringthis portion of its orbital path of travel is eiected through the'mediumof a shallow depressed portion 'Ha formed on the rear cam plate 1| (seeFig. l). Continued movement of the chuck around its orbital path oftravel will cause the cap held thereby to be applied to a coni tainer inthe manner heretofore described. In the event that the container capshould be improperly aligned with respect to the-neck of its associatedcontainer and thereby fail to become applied to the containery it willbe disengaged from'the cap at the time the chuck approaches the end ofits rst straight portion of travel by the engagement of the knock-outrod BQ with the abutment disk 98. The contact between the knock-out rod.and the abutment disk effectively delivers a sharp downward blow to theknock-out rod and causes the ejection of the cap onto a discharge chuteH9 as is indicated in Fig. l0 of the drawings. V i

When it is found desirable to cap containers having diiierent dimensionsfrom those for which the machine had been originally set, the variousoperative parts of the machine may be readily.

adjusted to coniormwith the different dimensions oi the new series ofcontainers. Thus, if the thickness of the new containers is greater in airont'to rear direction, the guide rails tti are spaced farther apartand the spring biased guide rail tti is moved forwardly by the properreadjustment oi the stop nuts tti. The secondary conveyer D is movedrearwardly throughthe' medium of the hand wheel ti in order that thepusher elements carried thereby may be properly modified in order toprovide a clamping action on such round containers whereby to preventrotation of the containers relative to the 'pusher elements. ,In Fig. 13of the drawings, there is illustrated a modified form of secondaryconveyer which is designed for particular use in conjunction withgenerally cylindrical containers. This modified conveyer comprises apair of spaced symmetrically opposed units |20 and l2l, each of which isconstructed similarly to the secondary conveyerl D. The sprocket chainsof the unit i2@ are provided with a plurality oi?l equally spaced pusherelements i22 having their container engaging faces provided withresilient pads |123 which may be formed from rubber, felt, soft leather,or other suitable material. The unit l2!! is provided with a similar setof elements i213 and pads |25, but which are turned in a directionopposing that of the pusher elements |22 to dene thereby generallysquare wells adapted to receive containers-F, and in which the resilientpads |23 and |25 frictionally engage the containers associated therewithto restrain the same against rotation. It should be obvious that whencylindrical containers having different diameters are to be capped, theunits it@ and iflll will be moved toward or away from each other toconform laterally to the new container size, and the pusher elements 522and iti! will be adjusted relatively to conform to the new containersize axially with respect to the main conveyer.

It has been found that capping machines constructed in accordance withthis invention have a greatly increased rate of production in comparisonwithcapping machines of prior known types.

For example, arnachine of the nature herein disclosed has been foundcapable of handling containers at a, rate of approximately four hundredcontainers per minute, and it is believed that efiicient capping can beproduced at speeds in excess ot 225 containers per minute. Further, by asimple change in design without affecting the functions of the variousparts whatsoever, a cappositioned on the back side of the new series ofcontainers. If the new series of containers also present a greater or`lesser dimension parallel to the axis of the main conveyer B, the pusherelements it@ are shifted relative to the axis of the capping spindles inorder that the neck of the container may be maintained in properregistry therewith. rThis is effected lby merely releasing theengagerrent or the sprockets tu and ,til from their respective mountingshafts and thenrotatu ing the sprockets relative to the shafts-tothereby eiiect the proper relative movement of the pushers with respectto the axes of thespindles and then .again securing the sprockets in thenewly adjusted position. Vertical adjustment of the capping assembly'EAmay be simply effected by releasing the clamping sleeves tt and thenraising or lowering the entire assemblyA to conform with the height ofthe new series of containers.

When the capping assembly is raised or lowered' in this manner, the geartrain W3 will also be raised or lowered and relative sliding movementwill be effected between the -spur gear MM and the splined shaft itithereby maintaining a vcontinuity of effective driving connections.

The pusher elements Stare particularly adapted for all forms ofcontainers which are generally rectangular in nature or which at leastinclude two parallel side walls. However, should it become desirable toemploy a machine of this nature in connection with the capping. ofcylindrical containers, the secondary conveyer must b2 ping "machine ofthis nature may be readily adapted to apply caps to two oppositelymoving lines of containers located on opposite sides of the machine.

Thus, it will be seen that the herein described invention provides anovel straight line capping .machine particularly adapted to applythreaded caps to continuously moving containers; which includes aplurality of capping chucks movable in an orbital path having a straightportion overlying and coinciding with the path of travel of thecontainers, which are adapted to be progressively and successivelymoved' into and out of' capping engagement with the containersassoociated therewith, and-which are adapted to be TSS rotated during at.least the time they are rnaintained in capping engagement with thecontainers; which is adjustable on all three dimensional axes-to permitcapping operations to be performed on containers having a wide range ofsizes; and which is simple in design, rugged in construction, andeconomical to manufacture.

It is of course to be understood that certain details of arrangement'and proportions of parts l y may be variously modied without exceedingthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim: l. ln a capping machine, a supporting trame, a continuouslymoving primary conveyor mounted on said frame and adapted to receivealine of containers successively presented thereto, means associated withsaid conveyer for successively,

spacingfthe containers carried thereby, a secondary straight lineconveyer associated with said primary conveyer for accuratelymaintaining said containers in said spaced relation thereon, means forlaterally adjusting said secondary conveyer with respect to said primaryconveyer, a capping assembly carriedby said frame and including aorbital path including a straight portion overlying the path of travelof said containers, means plurality oi' capping chucks movable throughanfor moving said chucks in synchronism with said secondary conveyer andthe-,- associated containers, means associated with said cappingassembly for supplying container caps to said chucks,

meansvfor moving the cap carrying chucks into and out of cappingengagement with said con-- tainers, means including rack and pinionconnections for eiIecting the rotation of each chuck during at least thetime each said chuck is maintained in capping engagement with anassociated container, means for vertlcally'adjusting said cappingassembly with respect to said straight line conveyer, and, means forejecting from said ascuas portion of said orbital path at a speed ofadvance equal to the speed of advance of said containers. meansiorsupplying container caps to said chucks, means for moving said capcarrying chucks into'and out of capping engagement with said containers,and means lior ,rotating said*v chucks during atleast the time they aremaintainers. v i 6;' In a straight line capping machine,aconstantly'movlnglstraight line conveyer adapted to tained in cappingengagement jwith said'conreceive a line of containers to be capped,means associated with said conveyer for accurately spacing' onv saidconveyer containers successively presented thereto, a'plurality* ofcapping chucks successively movable through a single orbital pathincluding a straight portion overlying the path oi travel of saidcontainers, means for moving A A' said chucks successively throughsaidstraight chucks any caps that were not applied to con- 4 tainers.

2. In a straight line capping machine, means for moving in astraightline a line of containers to be capped, a plurality ofcapping-chucksl successively movable through a4 single orbital pathincluding a straight portion overlying the vpath of travel of saidcontainers, means for mov- Y.

' ing said chucks successively through said straight portion of saidorbital path at a speed of advance equal to the speed of advance of saidcontainers, means for moving saidchucks into and out of cappingengagement Awith said containers, and means for operating each of saidchucks while tainers, means for moving said chucks into and out ofcapping engagement with said containers, and means for rotating saidchucks during at stantly moving straight line conveyer adapted to.receive a line of containers to'be capped, means portion of saidorbital path, 'means for moving said chucks into and out of cappingengagement with .said-flcontain'ers; and means for operating each ofsaidchucks while in capping engagement with said containers to secure capsto said con-` tainers. i

7. In a straight line capping machine, a conassociated with saidconveyer for accurately spacing on said conveyer containers successivelypresented thereto, aplurality of capping chucks s'uccessively movablethrough a single orbital path vincluding a straightportion overlying thepath of travel of saidv containers, means for moving said chuckssuccessively through said straight portion of said orbital path, meansfor movin said chucks into and out oi capping engagemen in cappingengagement with said containers to least the time they are maintained incapping v engagement with said containers.

4,'In a straight line capping machine, means for moving in a straightline a line of containers to be' capped, a plurality of capping chuckssucceaslvely movable through a single orbital path including e, straightportion overlying the path of travel o! said containers, means formoving said chucks successively through -said straight portion of saidorbital path at a speed of advance equal tothe, speed of advance of saidcontainers, means Tr lcontainer caps to said chucks, means for movingsaid cap carrying chucks into and out of capping engagement with saidtcontainers, and means for operating each of said chucks while incapping engagement with said containers to secure caps to saidcontainers.

5. In a straight line capping machine, means for moving in a straightline a line of containers to be capped, a plurality of capping chuckssuccessively'movable-through a single orbital path including a straightportion overlying the path of travel oi' said containers, means formoving with said containers, and means for rotating said chucks duringat least the time they are maintained in capping engagement with saidcon- 8. In a` straight line capping machine, a constantly movingstraight lineconveyer. adapted to ,receive a line of containers to becapped, means associated with said vconveyer for accurately spacing onsaid conveyer containers successively presented thereto, 'a plurality oi capping chucks successively l'movable through a single orbital pathincluding a straight portion overlying the path of travel of saidcontainers, means for'moving.

said chucks successively through said straight portion of said orbitalpath, means for supplying container caps to said chucks, means formoving said cap carrying chucks in'to and out of capping engagement withsaid containers, and means for operating each of said chucks while incapping engagement with said containers to secure caps to saidcontainers.

D. In a capping machine, a con' muy moving straight uns conveyer adaptedto receive a line of containers to be capped, means associated with saidconveyerfor accurately spacing on said conveyer containers successivelypresented thereto, a plurality es capping chuck; successively movablethroh a single orbital path sais chucks successively throughsaisstrsight usda containers.

aac-1,523

1o. rn a straight line capping machine, a conceive aline of containerssuccessively presented thereto, means associated with said primaryconveyer Afor spacing said containers, a secondary straight lineconveyer associated with said primary conveyer. and adapted toaccurately mainstantly moving primary conveyer adapted to ref tainr thespacing of said containers, a plurality# of capping chucks successivelymovable through a single orbital path including a straight portionoverlyingvthe path of travel of said containers` upon said secondaryconveyer, means for moving .i

said chucks successively through said straight portion of said orbitalpath in synchronisrnwith said secondary conveyer and the containersassociated therewith, and means for moving ,saidv chucks into and out ofcapping engagement with said containers.

11. In a straight line capping machine, a 'constantly moving `primaryconveyer adapted to receive aA line of containers successively presentedthereto, means associated with said primary conveyer for spacingsaidcontainers, a secondary straight line conveyer associated with vsaidprimary conveyer and adapted to accurately maintain the spacing of saidcontainers, a plurality of capping chucks successively movable through asingle orbital path including a straight 'portion overlying the path oftravel of said containers upon said secondary conveyer, means for movingsaid .chucks successively through said straight portion of said orbitalpath in synchronism with said secondary conveyer and they containers associated therewith, means for movingsaid chucks into and out of cappingengagement with said ing the path oi travel of said containers on saidsecondary conveyer, means ior moving said chucks successively throughsaid lstraight portion oi said orbital path in synchronism with saidsecondary conveyer' and the containers associated therewith, means forsupplying container caps to said chucks, and means for moving said capcarrying chucks into and out. oi capping engagement with saidcontainers. f

i3; ln a straight line capping machine, a con- ,stantly moving primaryconveyer adapted to recapping chucks movable through a single orbital`path including a straight portion overlying the path oi travel oi saidcontainers upon said secondary conveyer, means for vmoving said chuckssuccessively through said straight portion oi said orbital pathn insynchronism with s'aid secondary' conveyer and the containers associatedtherewith, means for supplying. container caps to said chucks, means ior.movingV said cap. carrying chucks into and out of 'capping engagementwith said containers, and means for rotating said chucks during at leastthe time they are maintained in capping engagement with said con-ltainers. i

`1d. In a capping machineja'supportin'g.frame,"

a continuously f moving straight line conveyer mounted on said frameandadaptedto receive a line of containers successively ,presentedthereto, a capping assembly mounted on said frame for verticaladjustment with respect to'said conveyer,

said capping assembly including a plurality 'of capping chuckssuccessively movable through a single orbital pathincluding'astraight,portionoverlying the path of travelof saidcontainers,v

means for moving 4 said chucks successively through said straightportion of said orbital path.

means for moving said chucks into and out of capping' engagement withsaid containers, and

means for rotating said chucks duringat least the time they aremaintained in capping engagement withsaid chucks.

l15. Ina capping machine, a supporting frame,

a continuously moving primary conveyer mount-` ed on said frame andadapted tol receive a line` of containers successivelyipresentedthereto,a

veyer.v

secondary straight line conveyer carried by said frame` for lateraladjustment with respect to said primary conveyerfand being effective tomaintain said containers in accurately spacedrelation, a capping-iassembly carried by said trame 'and including a plurality of cappingchucks sucn cessively movablethrough a single orbital path including elstraight portion overlying the path of travel of said containers uponsaiclsecondary conveyer, means for movingsai-d chucks successively.throughv said vstraight portion of said orbital path, means for movingsaidchuclrs into and out of capping engagement with said .containers,and means for rotating said chucks during at least the time they aremaintained in cap,- ping engagement vvithsaid chucks. y

16. 1n a capping machine, a supporting frame,

a continuously moving primary conveyer mourited on said frame andadapted to receive a line.l

travel of said containers upon said'secondary conveyer, means for movingsaid chucks successively through said straight portion of said orbitallpath in synchronism with said secondary conveyer and the associatedcontainers, means associated with said capping assembly tor supeplyingcontainer caps to said chucks, means for moving the cap carrying chucksinto and out of capping engagement with said containers, and means forvertically adjusting said capping. assembly with respect toI ,saidstraight line con- 1'? in a capping machine, 'a supporting frame, acontinuously 'moving primary conveyerJ mounted on'said frame 'andadapted to receive a line of containers successively presented thereto,means associated with said conveyer forcuocessively spacing thecontainers carried thereby. a secondary straight line conveyerassociated with said primary conveyer for accurately maintaining saidcontainers in said spaced relation thereon, means forlaterally adjustingsaid secondary conveyer with respect to said primary conveyer, a cappingassembly carried by said frame and including a plurality of cappingchucks successively movable through a single orbital'path including astraight portion overlying vthe path of travel of said containers uponsaid secondary conveyer, means for moving said chucks successivelythrough said straight portion of said orbital path 'in synchronism withsaid secondary'conveyer and the associated containers. meansassociatedwith said capping assembly for supplying container caps tosaid chucks,

means for-moving the cap carryingchucks into and out of lcappingengagement with said containersr means for rotating each chuck during atleast ythe time it is maintained in capping en-l gagement with anassociated container, and means for vertically adjusting said cappingassembly with respect to -said straight line conveyer. V

18. lIn a capping machine, a supporting frame, a continuously movingprimary conveyer mounted on said frame and adapted to receive a line ofcontainers successively presented thereto, means 'associated with saidconveyer for successively spacing the containers carried thereby, asecondary straight line conveyer associated with said primary conveyerfor accurately maintaining said containers in said spaced relationthereon, means for laterally `adjusting said secondary conveyer withrespect to said primary` conveyer.

ceive a line of containers successively presented thereto, meansassociated with said primary conveyer for accurately spacing saidcontainers, a. secondary straight line conveyer associated with saidprimary conveyer and adapted to accurately maintain the spacing of saidcontainers, a plurality of capping chucks successively movable through asingle orbital path including a straight portion overlying the path oitravel of said containers upon said secondary conveyer, means for movingsaid chucks successively through said straight portion of said orbitalpath in synchronism with said secondary conveyer and the containersassociated therewith, means for supplying container caps to said chucks,means for moving said cap carrying chucks into and out of cappingengagementwith said containers, means for rotating said chucks during atleast the time they are maintained in capping engagement with saidcontaineraand means for ejecting from said ,chucks any caps that werenot applied to v containers.

2l. In a straight line capping machine, means for moving in a straightline a line of containers to be capped, a plurality of capping chuckssuccessively movable through a single orbital path including a straightportion overlying thev path oi' travel of said containers, means formoving said chucks successively through said straight portion of saidorbital path in synchronisml with said containers, 'means for seriallypresenting container caps ior'lcngagement by said chucks, means foreffecting fthe, enguement of said caps and said chucks. means for movingsaid capl carrying chucks into and out of a capping. assembly canied vbysaid frame and including aplurality of capping chucks successivelymovable through a single orbital path ino cluding al straight portionoverlying Ithe path of travel ,of said containers upon said secondaryconveyer, means for moving said chucks successively through 'saidstraight portion of said orbital path in synchronism with said secondary.conveyer and the associated containers, means associated with saidcapping assembly for supplying container caps to said chucks, means formoving the cap carrying chucks into and out of capping engagement withsaid containers, means including rack and pinion connections foreiIecting'` the rotationof each chuck during at least the time each saidlchuck is maintained in capping engagement .with an associatedcontainer,

and means for vertically adiusti'ng said capping 65 assembly withrespect to said straight line conveyer.

19. In ya straight line capping machine, means for moving in a straightlinel a line of containers to be capped, a plurality of capping chuckssuccessively movable through a single orbital path including a straightportion overlying the vpath capping engagement with rsaid containers,and means for operating cach of said chucks while in capping engagementwith said containers to secure caps to said containers.

22. In -a straight line capping machine, means i'or moving in a straightline a line oi.' containers to be capped, -a plurality of capping chuckssuccessively movable through a single orbital path 5 including -astraight portion overlying the path loi' travel of said containers,means for moving said chucks successively through said straight Iportion of said orbital path in synchronism with ers to be capped, aplurality of capping chucks of. travel of said containers, Imeans i'orvmoving said chucks successively through said straight portion of saidorbital path in synchronism with said containers, means for supplyingcontainer caps to said chucks, means for moving said chucks into and outof cappingengagement with said containers, means for operating each ofsaid chucks while-in cappingensasement with said' containers to securecaps to said containers, and

means for electing from said chucks anycaps that were not applied tocontainers.

20. In a straight line capping machine, a constantly moving primaryconveyer adaptedtoareother portions out of vertical alignment withsuccessively movable through a single orbital path including a straightportion overlying the path of travel oi' said containers and includingsaid straight portion, means "formoving 'said ,chucks successivelythroughsaid straight portion o't said orbital path at a speed lofadvance equal to-the speed oi advance of said containers.

means for moving said chucks into and .out 0f capping Vengagement withsaid containers, and, means for' operating eachl of said chucks whilein' capping engagement with said containers to sscure caps to saidcontainers.

24. In a straight line capping'machine. means successively through saidstraight portion. of'

said orbital path in synchronism with said concaps for engagement bysaid chucks, means operative vWhile said chucks are moving through saidother portions of said orbital path for effect- -ing the engagement ofsaid caps and' said chu'cks tainers, and means for operatingV each ofsaid' chucks While in cappingengagement with said.

tainers, means for serially presenting container 19 means formoving'said cap-carryingvchucks into and out'ofcapping engagement withsaid concontainers to secure-caps to said containers. c HOWARD E. GANTZEB..

